Chapter 81: Jealousy

“Shimin’s words are not without merit. Father’s reputation is of utmost importance, and we can slowly investigate the matter of the assassin,” Li Jiancheng’s response left Li Xuanba utterly astonished. Had his eldest brother lost his mind today to agree with their second brother? After regaining his composure, he protested indignantly, “Are you saying that reputation is more important than Father’s safety? What if there’s another assassination attempt?”

Li Jiancheng calmly replied, “The reason the assassin had an opportunity last time was because we were too careless. As long as we remain vigilant in the future, they won’t have another chance.” He then added, “Third Brother, think carefully before you speak or act. Don’t always be so impulsive.”

Li Xuanba didn’t fully grasp the meaning behind Li Shimin’s earlier statement, but how could he not understand? In truth, if it weren’t for this concern, he would have already subjected the people at the music hall to severe interrogation instead of waiting until now.

After being scolded, Li Xuanba felt deeply displeased. “Fine, I won’t say anything from now on. I still need to practice my martial arts. Excuse me.”

Watching him leave, Li Jiancheng shook his head. “This Third Brother of ours hasn’t grown in any other way, but his temper has only gotten worse. A few words of criticism, and he storms off. With this attitude, how can we possibly tell him the truth about things?”

“Isn’t Third Brother’s temperament clear to us? His anger comes quickly and dissipates just as fast. He’ll be fine in a little while.” Smiling faintly, Li Shimin continued, “Though Third Brother lacks steadiness of mind, he is brave and skilled in battle. At just ten years old, he dared to challenge both of us. From childhood to now, I’ve never seen him fear anyone’s fists. I believe that in the future, he will be Father’s best vanguard.”

“That’s true,” Jiancheng agreed. Just then, Doctor Xu arrived. After examining the wound on Shimin’s shoulder, he confirmed it was a hairline fracture. He advised against moving or exerting pressure on it until it healed completely, adding that given Shimin’s constitution, it should take about a month to recover.

As Doctor Xu finished bandaging the wound and prepared to leave, Li Shimin said, “By the way, Brother’s leg injury hasn’t healed yet either. Should we let Doctor Xu take a look at it?”

“There’s no need. My wound is fine; it’s just that the new flesh hasn’t fully healed yet.” After dismissing Doctor Xu, Jiancheng handed the snow lotus flower diagram back to Shimin. In a low voice, he said, “Though you believe Wu Mei Xue isn’t the assassin, it’s still suspicious that a country girl could paint something so exquisite. Send someone to the Wu household to inquire further.”

“I understand,” Shimin responded, having already considered doing so himself.

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Meanwhile, Yunyi waited anxiously until sunset before finally seeing Li Niang return. Rushing forward, Yunyi asked, “Li Niang, what about the shoes?”

Li Niang smiled. “Of course I delivered them for you. What else do you think I went out to do?”

Yunyi hesitated slightly before asking, “And… did Father try them on? Do they fit well?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Seeing Yunyi’s puzzled expression, she explained, “When I arrived, your father wasn’t home. I asked around the neighbors and learned that he went hunting up the mountain two days ago and hasn’t returned since. I waited for a while but didn’t see him, so I left the shoes with a neighboring family surnamed Fang to pass along when he returns.”

“Ah!” Hearing that the shoes were left with strangers, Yunyi couldn’t help but gasp. Li Niang looked confused. “What’s wrong? Is there something suspicious about that family?”

Coming back to her senses, Yunyi quickly shook her head. “No, it’s just… I’m worried about Father. It snowed so heavily yesterday. Who knows how he’s faring alone in the mountains?”

Hearing this, Li Niang laughed reassuringly. “Don’t worry. According to the Fang family, your father is an experienced hunter and has encountered snowstorms in the mountains before. He’ll be fine.”

Jiang Caiping chimed in, “Li Niang, we wanted to…” Before she could finish, Yunyi pulled her hand and forced a smile. “Thank you so much for your help with this, Li Niang.”

“It’s nothing. No need to thank me. If you ever need anything else, feel free to ask.” Tying on her apron, Li Niang added, “Well, I must get back to work, or dinner will be delayed.”

Once outside the kitchen, Jiang Caiping asked, “Sister, didn’t you say you wanted Li Niang to relay a message for us? Why did you stop me just now?”

“You heard what Li Niang said, didn’t you? Father went hunting in the mountains and hasn’t returned yet. Even if Li Niang agreed to deliver our message, she wouldn’t be able to find him anytime soon.” While this was one reason, the more pressing issue was that Yunyi hadn’t yet figured out how to convey the message subtly. The stakes were high, and any misstep could lead to disaster. She had to tread carefully.

Jiang Caiping nodded, sensing no ulterior motive. “That makes sense. Let’s wait a couple of days before asking Li Niang again. By then, Uncle Wu should have returned.”

Yunyi murmured under her breath, “I hope he doesn’t return before the first day of the lunar month.”

Caiping caught snippets of her words and asked curiously, “What did you say shouldn’t happen?”

Snapping back to attention, Yunyi smiled faintly. “Nothing. I just hope those gossiping tongues stay quiet so we don’t have to go through all this trouble.”

As they spoke, two dancers approached, heads bowed as they whispered conspiratorially. Catching sight of Yunyi, their eyes flickered with jealousy and mockery. When they drew near, one of them smirked and remarked, “It seems we’ll soon have another lead dancer change.”

Her companion asked, “Didn’t we just switch recently? Why again? Did the current one make a mistake like Feng Chunxiu and get demoted to the firewood shed?”

“Feng Chunxiu made a mistake and was punished, but this one climbed onto Second Young Master’s high branch. How can the two be compared? However…” She sneered at Yunyi, her face twisted with envy. “If she thinks this will earn her the title of ‘Second Mistress,’ she’s sorely mistaken. What kind of status does Second Young Master hold? He will marry a lady from a prestigious family, not someone like her. To him, she’s just a fleeting amusement—once bored, he’ll toss her aside without a second glance.”

Her friend giggled behind her hand. “So she’s just setting herself up for disappointment?”

“Exactly. Once she becomes tarnished goods, even if she offers silver to beg him to marry her, he won’t. In the end, she’ll have no choice but to sell herself to brothels!” Her voice carried loudly, clearly meant for Yunyi and Caiping to hear.

Seeing her insults escalate to such vulgarities as “brothel” and “selling flesh,” Jiang Caiping could no longer restrain herself. “Ding Yulan, what nonsense are you spouting!”

As for Yunyi, though she remained silent, her expression darkened considerably. She disliked causing trouble, but that didn’t mean she would tolerate others trampling all over her dignity.